THE Ukrainian immigrant who was killed as she rode the train home from work looked at her attacker in horror after he drove a knife into her neck, a newly released video has captured.
Repeat felon Decarlos Brown Jr, 34, has been arrested and accused of randomly stabbing war refugee Iryna Zarutska, 23, to death just four minutes after she sat in front of him.
Charlotte Area TransitUkrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska looked at her killer in terror after he suddenly drove a knife into her neck[/caption]
ReutersDecarlos Brown has been arrested and accused of killing Zarutska as they rode a train in Charlotte, North Carolina[/caption]
FacebookZarutska, 23, was a refugee who fled Ukraine at the start of the war with Russia[/caption]
Horrific CCTV captured the moments leading up to and following the attack on the train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22.
In the video, Zarutska can be seen walking onto the train still wearing her uniform from Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, where she worked, and propping her feet up as she looks at her phone.
Everyone else in the train car was also looking at their phone, except the attacker, who, shrouded in a red hoodie, was glancing out of the window as the train left the station.
New footage obtained by Mass Live captures the moment the killer calmly appears to unfold a knife before abruptly standing up and lifting it above Zarutska.
Immediately after the attack, the victim glances up at her killer with a look of horror and appears to sob as she puts her head into her hands.
One man sitting in the section gets up and races after the stabber after he walks away, while others on the train appear not to react to the incident.
A woman sitting across the aisle from the attack glances back and forth at Zarutska as blood gushes from her neck before walking away.
Eventually, Zarutska slouches to the ground.
Meanwhile, other passengers on the train became alarmed after noticing blood dripping down from the attacker as he paced through the cars, the video shows.
After about 60 seconds, commuters started to rush toward Zarutska, and the killer exited the train without being stopped.
Zarutska died on the train from her injuries with a crowd of people surrounding her, officials said.
Brown was arrested at the scene after passengers flooded the train station at the next stop and begged for help.
He has been charged with first-degree murder and also faces a federal charge of causing death on a mass transportation system.
If he’s found guilty of the federal charge, he could face the death penalty.
Charlotte Area TransitZarutska was looking at her phone when she was attacked[/caption]
AFPWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the crime in a press briefing[/caption]
TRUMP’S PLEA
Brown’s lengthy rap sheet shows he was involved in 14 criminal cases before Zarutska’s death, but he was still allowed to walk free.
The killing has sparked a widespread debate on whether officials are being soft on crime and permitting potentially murderous repeat felons to do as they please.
After hearing about the crime, President Donald Trump initially blamed cashless bail programs, which allow suspected criminals to be released before a trial without posting any money.
Speaking to reporters in the White House on Tuesday, Trump said the crime was proof that Democrat-run cities need federal policing.
“In Charlotte, North Carolina, we saw the results of these policies when a 23-year-old woman who came here from Ukraine met her bloody end on a public train,” he said.
“She was slaughtered by a deranged monster who is roaming free after 14 prior arrests.”
Trump said that authorities need to use “force and strength” in a crime crackdown if they want to prevent tragedies from happening.
“We have to be vicious just like they are. It’s the only thing they understand,” he said of criminals.
Decarlos Brown Jr.’s criminal history
This is a timeline of Decarlos Brown Jr.’s criminal history since 2011
2011-Present: Arrested 14+ times for various crimes such as felony larceny, armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, burglary, shoplifting, assault, making threats/communicating threats, misuse of 911/false emergency calls
2020: Sentenced to prison for felony larceny and armed robbery
2021: Assaulted his sister shortly after release, causing minor injuries
January 2025: Arrested for misusing 911 and claiming man-made substances controlled his body
July 2025: Mental Health evaluation ordered with a schizophrenia diagnosis, but the evaluation was not carried out
TRAGIC DEATH
Brown’s mother said that her son was homeless and living in and out of shelters when he was arrested.
She said that she had just kicked him out of her house because he was acting violently, CNN affiliate WSOC reported.
The mom, who wished not to be identified, said that her son underwent a psychiatric evaluation and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
However, she said that he was refusing to undergo treatment or comply with the care providers.
“My heart goes out to the victim’s family. What he did was atrocious. It was horrible. It was wrong,” she said.
Zarutska was remembered by her heartbroken family as a natural-born artist who loved to spend time with loved ones.
She “had a deep love for animals” and helped to take care of her neighbors’ pets as she pursued a job as a veterinary assistant, her obituary says.
“Iryna will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met,” her family said.
“Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her.”
Trump’s statement on Zarutska’s death
“I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic.
“The perpetrator was a well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES.
“What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets? Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP.
“The blood of this innocent woman can literally be seen dripping from the killer’s knife, and now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail, including Former Disgraced Governor and “Wannabe Senator” Roy Cooper.
“North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it! Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy? VOTE FOR MICHAEL WHATLEY FOR UNITED STATES SENATE, HE WON’T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!”
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